Wednesday night’s all-Toronto OFSAA final lacked style points — and points — but when competitive fight and defensive intensity collide, a seat-squirmer unfolds because no separation is ever realistic.

There have been better games at this level and on this stage, but the Oakwood Barons and Henry Carr Crusaders left everything out on the Humber College hardwood, site of many classics.

History won’t remember the missed shots, lack of finish around the basket, careless turnovers and an inability to make free throws in crunch time.

Instead, it will remember an epic defensive battle, an incredibly nervous ending and a 40-38 Oakwood win.

The crowd was out of its seats when Carr had final possession but, typical of the night, poor execution led to a desperate heave at the buzzer as the Crusaders lost their second heartbreaker in as many years.

It wasn’t exactly a clinical beginning to the game, an eight-minute period during which both the Barons and Crusaders looked tentative and indecisive, eschewing shots when ball movement led to open looks and poor passes into the post.

The teams twice met during the season with each team winning once, including an Oakwood win on the same Humber court back in November.

In a contrast in styles would describe the matchup, a Carr team that loves to play in the open floor, an Oakwood team that is more traditional with its inside-outside approach.

Athletically, the Crusaders had the edge, their quick hands effective in forcing turnovers when back-door plays were run by the Barons.

Brody Clarke’s presence in the paint was featured by the Barons, who controlled the opening tap, leading to the game’s first foul when Anthony McNish was called for a reach in.

Bonnick is an athletic big whose ability to put the ball on the deck has the potential to draw defenders.

To his credit, Clarke, whose older brother Julian helped Oakwood to its 2010 OFSAA gold, kept his man in front of him and was active on the glass.

Whether it was poor ball reversal or an inability to carve space on the block, the Barons couldn’t establish Clarke inside.

He can step up, but his first shot from three-point range barely hit back iron.

The Barons were given a second opportunity, but a left-handed hook by Clarke would hit front iron.

For Carr, Marcus Bonnick was one of few capable of making shots, scoring five as the Crusaders took an 8-7 lead after the first quarter, where the play was hardly inspiring.

The defensive pressure began to increase in the second quarter, leading to some run-outs and the occasional shot being made, a Calvin Epistola three late in the period providing Oakwood with a 20-14 advantage at the break.

While fast and athletic, Carr did a poor job in its close-outs, the primarily reason why Epistola was able to set his feet beyond the three-point line.

About the only good thing about the opening half was the closeness of the game.

The kids locked in on their defensive assignments, but the shooting was poor, offences either being run too quickly and at times with no apparent purpose.

Carr, in particularly, dribbled too much around the perimeter, weren’t using any screen action in attacking the basket.

Those who have been around the high school game couldn’t remember the last time an OFSAA final pitting two very established and premier programs had produced a combined 34 points.

On the second half’s opening touch, Carr went straight to McNish, whose spin move around Clarke led to a bucket.

The Crusaders again went to McNish, who once again came through.

Clarke produced his first basket off Epistola’s penetration.

A Bonner three off an Oakwood turnover tied the game, 25-25, but Jordan Rose responded with his own three.

Suddenly, the game had an edge, the teams then deadlocked when Bonner nailed a triple.

The teams would have entered the final period tied, but when Carr came late on double team Clarke was able to score to give Oakwood a 32-30 lead.

NOTRE DAME CAPTURES BRONZE

Peel basketball has been a hot-bed for high-level hoops in recent years, its presence found at all levels of the game.

Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett are the flag- bearers, two products who are plying their trades in the big-money world that is the NBA.

Tyler Ennis, Syracuse’s freshman point guard, will soon follow.

In time, there may be others.

But it’s been an awful long time since Peel last won an OFSAA medal, a stretch that dates back to 1996, when Morning Star turned the trick, a team led by point guard Mike George, Bennett’s agent.

When d’Youville and Notre Dame each won their quarterfinal matchups on Tuesday, Peel was assured of a medal.

When each dropped its semifinal tip Wednesday morning, the evening would feature an all-Peel meeting for bronze, marking the fourth time d’Youville and Notre Dame had hooked up this season.

Despite some uneven stretches and lack of offence by both teams, the outcome wouldn’t be decided until the final shot, the intensity growing with each possession.

When d’Youville missed the front end of a one-and-one, Notre Dame had possession with 12.1 seconds left, the ball in Michael Asemonta’s hands, the clock ticking, the air dripping with tension.

Asemonta picked up his dribble outside the arc, nearly got called for travelling, but he beat the buzzer when he leaned in for his heave that found net.

The buzzer sounded and Notre Dame had won a thriller, 53-51.

Asemonta led all scorers with 18 points as the Knights avenged their city of Brampton setback to the Panthers.

Oakwood edges Henry Carr to claim OFSAA AAAA boys basketball title

Wednesday night’s all-Toronto OFSAA final lacked style points — and points — but when competitive fight and defensive intensity collide, a seat-squirmer unfolds because no separation is ever realistic.

There have been better games at this level and on this stage, but the Oakwood Barons and Henry Carr Crusaders left everything out on the Humber College hardwood, site of many classics.

History won’t remember the missed shots, lack of finish around the basket, careless turnovers and an inability to make free throws in crunch time.

Instead, it will remember an epic defensive battle, an incredibly nervous ending and a 40-38 Oakwood win.

The crowd was out of its seats when Carr had final possession but, typical of the night, poor execution led to a desperate heave at the buzzer as the Crusaders lost their second heartbreaker in as many years.